Kadima is exhibiting all of the signs of a party under
pressure. Certainly losing 8-10 mandates in two weeks is not
easy and the anxiety is apparent in all of the party's
leaders, ministers, advisors and spokesmen.
One blow after another is falling on the party: numerous
investigations of acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, the
indictment against Tzachi Hanegbi including Attorney General
Meni Mazuz's announcement he should not remain in office and
most recently, excerpts of Omri Sharon's diary revealing he
was involved in personal appointments. Kadima's only
consolation is that Peretz and Netanyahu are not in much
better shape and voters feel there is no suitable alternative
to Olmert.
Kadima has a sense it is taking one step forward and two
steps back. The party issues the kind of announcement its
constituents like to hear and then along comes a revelation
that takes them back to their starting point.
The party is walking on eggshells. All of their commercials
are as tame as can be, with almost no attacks and no praise
— except for Sharon, of course. The incapacitated Prime
Minister is brought out like an amulet in times of need. It
may not help, but it can't hurt, they reason.
To brush off criticism that the party is run by a single
figure and to create an image of a party unsullied with
corruption, Kadima has been trying to build a model of party
institutions, including a party council. Among the
requirements for election to the council: at least 25 months
as a party member (impossible since the party did not exist
for so long). A few weeks ago Kadima was not in any hurry to
set party guidelines and regulations, but with cracks forming
in its image suddenly the party is rushing to create a
semblance of order.
Kadima is also busy drawing up a code of ethics for its
members, especially its MKs. Olmert, Bar-On and Hirshson et
al couldn't care less about ethics, but since a code of
ethics might help clean up the party's image it has suddenly
become a needed commodity.
Banana Republic
A considerable portion of Omri Sharon's diaries reveals the
havoc the junior Sharon wreaked to the religious councils.
His job handouts contributed to the collapse of religious
services no less than Shinui or the decision to dismantle the
Religious Affairs Ministry.
After the elections Kadima will have to set this matter
straight, especially now that Omri Sharon is out of the game.
Regardless of the coalition that forms after the elections
the religious and chareidi parties must demand all of Omri's
appointees be replaced immediately by individuals worthy of
the job. People who care about religious services and
religious matters, rather than political appointments.
Through his appointing system, Omri Sharon transformed Israel
into a banana republic. The red-ledger system, which everyone
thought had disappeared for good 40 years ago, was brought
back into use by Omri Sharon. Whoever was listed in his
ledger would get a job, those who did not appear on the list
. . . appeared on the unemployment lists.
A new law addressing rabbinate affairs and the religious
councils has been tabled. Sharon & Co. wanted to start
advancing the law during the outgoing session, until the
election date was advanced. The bill contains clauses that
would strengthen the rabbinate and religious services, but it
also contains clauses that would deal a severe blow to the
rabbonim, their standing and their independence. Thus it
would be tantamount to undermining kashrus and the walls
built around Judaism, choliloh.
One of the most pressing tasks the chareidi and religious
parties will have to undertake after the elections is to
breathe life into the religious councils and religious
services. One way or another they must see to it that the
mikvo'os start running smoothly without constant
funding crises, kashrus organizations function properly and
rabbonim and religious council workers receive their pay in
full and on time.
To insure these changes take place the law the Prime
Minister's Office has waiting in the wings cannot be allowed
to pass as is.
